Mizuki made his way into the shrine, slithering into some of the smallest spaces even for him until he found a set of locked doors.
A cry came from just inside making him frantically throw his body against the door, "My Lady I'm coming."
"Mizuki help me please," Nanami cried.
Mizuki's shoulder had gone numb when the door finally let loose, splintering as it hit the wall.
"Mi..Mizu...ahh," Nanami cried, seeing her familiar.
The contractions were now on top of each other making her gasp in agony as sweat soaked her face.
He raced to her side, worry crossing his features at her state.
"My Lady what's wrong?"
She gasped, "The babies are coming."
"What? Alright, can you walk?"
He took her right hand in his while he placed his left hand at her back.
She moaned as she fell against him, fluid rushing down her leg as her water broke.
"I have to get you out of here," he said, lifting her into his arms, holding her tightly against his chest.
She cried out as she felt the urge to push, "Aaaahhhh."
He rushed them from the shrine.
With every passing second he felt his mistress' body go ridged followed by her cries.
He felt anger toward Tomoe for causing his lady so much pain.
"I'll kill that fox for doing this to you," he thought as he turned, slamming himself through the shrine door leading outside.
Nanami whimpered as she twisted her fingers into his kariginu.
When they reached the outdoors they were horrified to find Tomoe on his knees.
Mizuki tried to keep Nanami from seeing the image but she wouldn't have it.
"Tomoe," she cried, "Help Tomoe."
Mizuki felt every word charge through him but fought the command, is body in agony over his disobedience.
"I'm sorry Nanami. I have to get you out of here so you can deliver in safety."
They watched as Mizuumi brought her dagger down on Tomoe.
"TOMOE," Nanami screamed, catching everyone off guard and making Mizuumi stop her attack momentarily.
Tomoe's eyes grew wide when he saw his wife, her eyes wild as tears ran down her cheeks.
He took Nanami's distraction as a blessing as he took the opportunity to catch Mizuumi off guard as he jumped up, slamming into her with his right shoulder, knocking her back.
He then knocked the dagger from her hands, wrapping his hands around her wrists.
She struggled desperately to break free but his fingers were like a vice.
"Release me now fox!"
He smiled, "Very well."
His hands dropped away but when she turned to run her path was blocked by a furious Ikusagami.
The god snapped his fingers, gold chains bound her hands behind her back.
"No, no he needs to die. My son will be avenged," she cried.
The war god glared at her, "The only avenging shall be me upon you for impersonating me."
Tomoe turned, staggering toward Nanami and Mizuki.
He pulled the sword from his left shoulder, grunting as the pain grew more intense and the blood from the wound flowed more freely. He then pushed the blade protruding from his chest back through the way it had entered making him fall to his knees.
He threw the sword away, looking up at his love, reaching his hand out to her as he fell to the ground, "Na...nami..."
Mizuki carried Nanami to Tomoe's side.
She rolled him onto his back, placing his head on her lap, "Tomoe, please be ok. Don't leave me."
He looked up at her tear filled eyes, his eyes glazed over from pain and blood loss.
"Na...na..mi," he whispered, slowly brushing a tear from her cheek, his fingers leaving a bloody streak across her face. "Ar...are y...ou ok?"
She took his hand in hers, pressing it against her right cheek, "Yes I'm fine."
"Go...d."
He placed a hand over her stomach, feeling it grow tight against his palm as a contraction washed over her.
"We need...we need...to...ge...t y..our out of...h...here," he gasped. "The tw...ins won't sur...vive the mi...asma."
Mikage appeared next them, worry on his face, "Mizuki take Nanami to Ikusagami's temple. I will take care of Tomoe."
The familiar nodded, scooping the woman back into his arms and taking to the sky on his shikigami.
"Mizuki when we get to the shrine," Nanami said as her contractions built again, "Go see Mamorinogami. Have him give you a few peach pills."
She bit her lip, moaning into his chest.
"Tell him I will repay him double what he asks."
"Yes my lady."
They arrived at the shrine a short time later, Mizuki wasting no time taking her into her room.
He panicked as she grabbed his hand, crushing his fingers, "Lady Nanami your hurting me!"
She ignored him until the contraction dulled enough for her to speak, "Considering Tomoe is hurt, you are the only one who can help me."
"Eh...but my Lady how can I help?"
A voice called from the door, "Mizuki g...et out."
They looked up to find Tomoe leaning against an annoyed Mikage, his torso bare to reveal blood soaked bandages wrapped around his chest and shoulders.
"Tomoe," Nanami breathed.
Mizuki walked up to the men at the door, helping Mikage walk Tomoe to Nanami's bedside then the two left.
Tomoe wrapped his right arm around her shoulders, placing his left hand over her tightening stomach.
She hissed as the contractions continued.
He placed his lips against the side of her head, "This is it. I'm right here my love."
She smiled faintly, "I'm so happy."
He gave her his hand, flinching at her strength, "Breath my sweet Nanami, just breath."
She nodded, taking a deep breath.
She bore down, leaving her body to do what it was made to do.
After doing as they were taught by the midwife Nanami delivered the first infant into Tomoe's waiting hands.
He smiled, looking down at the wailing newborn in his hands.
"Nanami it's our little girl," he said excitedly.
Sweat soaked Nanami's hair as she smiled, "How is she?"
"She's perfect."
He placed the newborn on her mother bare chest, inside her yukata to keep her warm.
The new parents took time during the lull in contractions to admire the little one they had created.
Her head was full of soft, snow white hair like her father.
Using her yukata, Nanami dried the little girls hair making her tiny fox ears stand slightly.
They smiled seeing the soft brown fur on the tips of her ears.
Her skin was milky white while her cheeks were her mother's rosy red.
They counted her tiny clawed fingers and toes.
Her tiny hand encircled Tomoe's right index finger making his eyes grow wide.
They also found the baby fox's tail to also be the same soft snowy white tipped with a bit of brown fur.
Nanami grabbed Tomoe's arm as her contractions returned, more furious than the last and after her water broke again it wasn't long until Tomoe held his tiny son.
Tomoe smiled as he placed the boy next to his sister.
He too had his father's soft, snow white hair, tail and ears, tipped with bits of brown.
Tomoe looked down at his family, his heart skipping as he looked to his wife's smiling face.
His emotions began to run wild as he felt absolute love for two little beings he had just met, fear of holding something so tiny that it would break within his hands. He felt excitement with going through this life wondering what his family would bring him.
His heart swelled until it became a lump in his throat.
He placed a hand over his lips trying control his emotions, a tear rolling down his left cheek.
His eyes again came to rest on his beautiful Nanami who drifted off into an exhausted sleep, her arms encircling their little ones.
He knelt down next her, his eyes glimmering in complete admiration.
He had assumed so long ago that she couldn't possibly make him any happier than loving him and now she has again showed him he was wrong.
She had become his goddess, his light in the darkness.
He positioned his face over hers, bending down to kiss her lips.
He then laid down next to her, drawing his whole world tightly against him, drifting off into a blissful slumber.